Heart of Hush

The villain named Hush, created by comic superstars Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, makes a dramatic return to the life of Batman. What will this mean for Bruce Wayne? Secrets shared years ago between Bruce Wayne and Tommy Elliott begin to have dangerous repercussions in the present. Why is this mystery driving Hush to destroy Batman's life? What part does Catwoman play in Hush's plans?

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While Hush isn't as good of a villain as I would hope, they made it work. Dini and Nguyen deliver again.

theorbys
Jun 01, 2014

It's readable, but Hush just doesn't really have the chops to have gotten so far against Batman. Dini has to give him deus ex writer solutions like getting the drop on both Catwoman ! AND Alfred ! even though THEY have the drop on him. Did like the ending, and the art was rather good.

Dini is a terrific Batman writer, and unlike Morrison, doesn't seem to be constantly on drugs. Here he's hampered somewhat by the presence of Hush, a villain and former friend from his childhood who was created by Jeph Loeb. Hush is something of a mediocre character, but Dini makes at least some good use of him.

Paul Dini does a terrible disservice to Hush the villain by portraying him as just another psycho that Batman has to beat. The depth and brilliance of Jeph Loeb's presentation of Tommy Elliott is that he is a brilliant, but ordinary person. Normal, talented people can be dangerous, too, is the message and Dini just does not get it. I can only hope that the DC continuity editors ignore this story with its poor writing and ridiculous gimmicks for what it is, a mistake, and return Hush to us as the freshest villain that Batman has faced in years.

I read this before reading the other Hush storyline and I loved it. What was done with the relationship between Batman and Catwoman was great and Hush is an excellent villian. I found it easy enough to understand without having read a ton of other batman stuff.

Furthermore, I've always loved the linework of Dustin Nguyen and he does not disapoint in this book.

Now this is more like it. After the third Hush collection's underwhelming story and art, Paul Dini goes back to the elements that make Hush a great villain. Dini is a writer whose credits include a lot of animated series including He-Man, Tiny Toons, and the Superman and Batman animated series. His writing recalls the triumphant original Hush story with flashbacks that flesh out the narrative and motivations of the characters and lots of cool literary quotations including Hush's signature Aristotle citations. Dustin Nguyen's sparse penciling leaves inker Derek Fridolfs and colorist John Kalisz plenty of room to dazzle us with bold, clear images and in your face action scenes. This collection does not include a two issue event (Batman: Gotham Knight #73 & 74) that involves Hush's feud with the Joker and ends up with Hush having a pacemaker put in him and the Joker having a remote control to it. While not essential, the event is referenced in this book and may make readers a bit confused. Devoted fans may want to pick those issues up before reading this one, but not absolutely necessary. More becomes clear about Hush's drive and goals with a shocking reveal that will send shockwaves through the Batman books from this point forward. There is a really cool ending that is reminiscent of the voice-over resolution to a cool Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino film that make me chuckle out loud.

Summary

Heart of Hush is the fourth collected volume in the Hush chronicles. It opens on the dealings of a crime ring headed by Doctor Aesop. Aesop has a penchant for using animals and as the Bat/Cat team breaks in on it, our old friend Hush makes a dramatic return. In this round Hush purchases a hospital and staffs it with mind numbed derelicts. This run is a return to form with more revealing flashbacks to Bruce and Tommy's childhood that lend rhyme and reason as to why Hush's obsession persists, the jade necklace from before is featured as well. Robin and Nightwing make an appearance to help Batman break up another literary inspired criminal cadre. The magical Zatanna joins the story and provides a thread that weaves Catwoman into the story in a way that gives her character center stage at times. Continuing Hush's tradition of bringing out Batman's rouges gallery, we get Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze and the Joker (of course) nailed to key plot points and bringing their particular brand of menace to bear. Scarecrow's meddling recalls the stark terror of Killer Croc's attacks as well as the innocence of a child kidnapping that puts Batman on his ear again.Toward the end we are made privy to the logic behind the title and welcome Dr.Midnite and Mr.Terrific to the hero team. As the plot wraps up, Hush unwraps in the most revealing secret brought to light thus far. Alfred shows his stuff and the Batcave sets the scene for the closing act.